Pledge Now!

From the President

This national celebration is designed to engage music educators, students, and communities to promote the benefits of high quality music education programs in schools. At WXXI, we know how important music is to a child’s intellectual and social development, which is why we’re joining the celebration – with Classical 91.5 taking the lead – by providing a variety of on-air and online content. This includes special arts segments and a curated web page where you can share a story, tribute or memory of a music teacher who made a difference in your life. If you’d like to be part of this effort, Classical 91.5 is partnering with the Rochester Education Foundation (REF) to collect musical instruments and supplies for Rochester City students. To learn more, click here.

If you’re a new member of WXXI (especially if you joined during our recent radio membership campaign), let me extend a warm welcome to the WXXI family! You join more than 27,000 others who voluntarily contribute to WXXI to keep our station a strong, independent voice for the Rochester community. Listenership to our radio services, especially news and public affairs, is stronger than ever.

As I write this month’s letter, it appears that the new President and Congress may delay the planned end of analog television broadcasting scheduled for February 17. This is in large part a response to the federal government running out of coupons to help over-the-air television viewers purchase digital converter boxes. It’s a problem that needs to be addressed. It is also a reaction to finding out how important free over-the-air television is to so many people in the country, especially in rural areas and the inner city. We’ll continue to provide the latest information about the transition on television, radio and online, especially since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) selected WXXI to help lead the community education effort about the transition to digital TV. You can read more about the FCC contract we were awarded on this highlight page or on page 5 of the February Guide (PDF).

The New Year is a time to make predictions and resolutions, so here’s my first one: I resolve that 2009 will be the year that WXXI makes its greatest strides in becoming the essential media resource for the Greater Rochester area.